ALCOHOL MIXTURE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 3, Issue 694, 21 November 1933, Page 2

ALCOHOL MIXTURE

RESULTS OF TESTS FOR BUiRpOSES OF MIOTOR FUEL What are the 4yiving results of a 10 per cent mixture,- of alcohol with petrol ? The National Automobiie Chamher lof Commerce of America put the question to the Society of Automotive Engineers, U.S.A. After a searching investigatiom the 'society reported.— ■"(1) Acceleration is the outstanding performiance characteristic (|e-, manded hy the public and carhurettors are set for this. For equal acceleration the fuel consumption with the blenfl is approximately 4 per cent •higher than with the straight petrol. . This statement is hased on measured: performance in cars and corresponds ,to the heat content of the respective fuels. "(2) Engine starting is moi*e difficult with the alcohol blerid. The tindendy to vapoPr lock is greater with th'e blend and still greater if adjusted to giye equal starting ahility. "(3) The alcohol blend has a higher lanti-knqck value of approximately five •oetane units, hut at a much higher cost per unit than by other available means. "(4) The tendency of alcohol to obsorb moisture from the air and. the water which nprmially accumulates in petrol during storage and service is frequently sufficient to cause separation of the alcohol from petrol. "(5) If alcohols were desirable as fuels for blendittg, th'e petroieum industry cpuld produce them at less cost from petroleum than they can he produced from corn or other agri'cultural products. Technically' speaking, ethyl alcohol is less desirable than the higher alcohols for blending with petrol." The committee qlso pointed out that there are pther problems larisin^ from the use of alcohol blends, such as corrosion of enlgine and fuel pipe lines, and the effect of the solvent action of the bl'ends. It also calls attention to the fact that less horse-power hours are ,a.yailable per dollar in blends than in petrol.